2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments)

11B-1008.2 Accessible routes.

Accessible routes serving play areas shall comply with Division 4 and Section 11B-1008.2 and shall be permitted to use the exceptions in Sections 11B-1008.2.1 through 11B-1008.2.3. Where accessible routes serve ground level play components, the vertical clearance shall be 80 inches (2032 mm) high minimum.

11B-1008.2.1 Ground level and elevated play components.

Accessible routes serving ground level play components and elevated play components shall be permitted to use the exceptions in Section 11B-1008.2.1.

Exceptions:

1. Transfer systems complying with Section 11B-1008.3 shall be permitted to connect elevated play components except where 20 or more elevated play components are provided no more than 25 percent of the elevated play components shall be permitted to be connected by transfer systems.
2. Where transfer systems are provided, an elevated play component shall be permitted to connect to another elevated play component as part of an accessible route. 

11B-1008.2.2 Soft contained play structures.

Accessible routes serving soft contained play structures shall be permitted to use the exception in Section 11B-1008.2.2.

Exception: Transfer systems complying with Section 11B-1008.3 shall be permitted to be used as part of an accessible route.

11B-1008.2.3 Water play components.

Accessible routes serving water play components shall be permitted to use the exceptions in Section 11B-1008.2.3.

Exceptions:

1. Where the surface of the accessible route, clear floor or ground spaces, or turning spaces serving water play components is submerged, compliance with Sections 11B-302, 11B-403.3, 11B-405.2, 11B-405.3, and 11B-1008.2.6 shall not be required.
2. Transfer systems complying with Section 11B-1008.3 shall be permitted to connect elevated play components in water.

Advisory 11B-1008.2.3 Water play components. Personal wheelchairs and mobility devices may not be appropriate for submerging in water when using play components in water. Some may have batteries, motors, and electrical systems that when submerged in water may cause damage to the personal mobility device or wheelchair or may contaminate the water. Providing an aquatic wheelchair made of non-corrosive materials and designed for access into the water will protect the water from contamination and avoid damage to personal wheelchairs. ◼

11B-1008.2.4 Clear width.

Accessible routes connecting play components shall provide a clear width complying with Section 11B-1008.2.4.

11B-1008.2.4.1 Ground level.

At ground level, the clear width of accessible routes shall be 60 inches (1524 mm) minimum.

Exceptions:

1. In play areas less than 1000 square feet (93 m²), the clear width of accessible routes shall be permitted to be 44 inches (1118 mm) minimum, if at least one turning space complying with Section 11B-304.3 is provided where the restricted accessible route exceeds 30 feet (9144 mm) in length.
2. The clear width of accessible routes shall be permitted to be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum for a distance of 60 inches (1524 mm) maximum provided that multiple reduced width segments are separated by segments that are 60 inches (1524 mm) wide minimum and 60 inches (1524 mm) long minimum.

11B-1008.2.4.2 Elevated.

The clear width of accessible routes connecting elevated play components shall be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum.

Exceptions:

1. The clear width of accessible routes connecting elevated play components shall be permitted to be reduced to 32 inches (813 mm) minimum for a distance of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum provided that reduced width segments are separated by segments that are 48 inches (1219 mm) long minimum and 36 inches (914 mm) wide minimum.
2. The clear width of transfer systems connecting elevated play components shall be permitted to be 24 inches (610 mm) minimum.

11B-1008.2.5 Ramps.

Within play areas, ramps connecting ground level play components and ramps connecting elevated play components shall comply with Section 11B-1008.2.5.

11B-1008.2.5.1 Ground level.

Ramp runs connecting ground level play components shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:16.

11B-1008.2.5.2 Elevated.

The rise for any ramp run connecting elevated play components shall be 12 inches (305 mm) maximum.

11B-1008.2.5.3 Handrails.

Where required on ramps serving play components, the handrails shall comply with Section 11B-505 except as modified by Section 11B-1008.2.5.3.

Exceptions:

1. Handrails shall not be required on ramps located within ground level use zones.
2. Handrail extensions shall not be required.

11B-1008.2.5.3.1 Handrail gripping surfaces.

Handrail gripping surfaces with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of 0.95 inch (24 mm) minimum and 1.55 inches (39 mm) maximum. Where the shape of the gripping surface is non-circular, the handrail shall provide an equivalent gripping surface.

11B-1008.2.5.3.2 Handrail height.

The top of handrail gripping surfaces shall be 20 inches (508 mm) minimum and 28 inches (711 mm) maximum above the ramp surface.

11B-1008.2.6 Ground surfaces.

Ground surfaces on accessible routes, clear floor or ground spaces, and turning spaces shall comply with Section 11B-1008.2.6.

Advisory 11B-1008.2.6 Ground surfaces. Ground surfaces must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure continued compliance with the ASTM F 1951 standard. The type of surface material selected and play area use levels will determine the frequency of inspection and maintenance activities. ◼

11B-1008.2.6.1 Accessibility.

Ground surfaces shall comply with ASTM F 1951. Ground surfaces shall be inspected and maintained regularly and frequently to ensure continued compliance with ASTM F 1951.

11B-1008.2.6.2 Use zones.

Ground surfaces located within use zones shall comply with ASTM F 1292 (1999 edition or 2004 edition).